Nitromethane

Not to be confused with nitrous oxide, methyl nitrate, or methyl nitrite.
Nitromethane
Structural formula of nitromethane
Structural formula of nitromethane
Nitromethane
Nitromethane
Names
IUPAC name
Nitromethane
Preferred IUPAC name
Nitromethane[1]
Other names
Nitrocarbol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.797 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
RTECS number
  • PA9800000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CH3NO2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3 checkY
    Key: LYGJENNIWJXYER-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/CH3NO2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3
    Key: LYGJENNIWJXYER-UHFFFAOYAW
  • C[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
CH3NO2
Molar mass 61.04 g/mol
Appearance colorless, oily liquid[2]
Odor Light, fruity[2]
Density 1.1371 g/cm3 (20 °C)[3]
Melting point −28.7 °C (−19.7 °F; 244.5 K)[3]
Boiling point 101.2 °C (214.2 °F; 374.3 K)[3]
Critical point (T, P) 588 K, 6.0 MPa[4]
ca. 10 g/100 mL
Solubility miscible in diethyl ether, acetone, ethanol, methanol[3]
Vapor pressure 28 mmHg (20 °C)[2]
Acidity (pKa)
-21.0·10−6 cm3/mol[7]
Thermal conductivity 0.204 W/(m·K) at 25 °C[8]
1.3817 (20 °C)[3]
Viscosity 0.63 cP at 25 °C[8]
3.46[9]
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity Low
Friction sensitivity Low
Detonation velocity 6400 m/s
Thermochemistry[10]
106.6 J/(mol·K)
171.8 J/(mol·K)
-112.6 kJ/mol
-14.4 kJ/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Flammable, health hazard
GHS labelling:
GHS01: Explosive GHS02: Flammable GHS06: Toxic GHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H203, H226, H301, H331, H351
P210, P261, P280, P304+P340, P312, P370+P378, P403+P233
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 3: Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked. E.g. hydrogen peroxideSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
3
3
Flash point 35[9] °C (95 °F; 308 K)
418[9] °C (784 °F; 691 K)
Explosive limits 7–22%[9]
20 ppm[9]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
940 mg/kg (oral, rat)
950 mg/kg (oral, mouse)[11]
750 mg/kg (rabbit, oral)
125 mg/kg (dog, oral)[11]
7087 ppm (mouse, 2 h)
1000 ppm (monkey)
2500 ppm (rabbit, 12 h)
5000 ppm (rabbit, 6 h)[11]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 TWA 100 ppm (250 mg/m3)[2]
REL (Recommended)
 none[2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 750 ppm[2]
Related compounds
nitroethane
Related compounds
 methyl nitrite
methyl nitrate
Supplementary data page
Nitromethane (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Nitromethane, sometimes shortened to simply "nitro", is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH
3NO
2. It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent. As an intermediate in organic synthesis, it is used widely in the manufacture of pesticides, explosives, fibers, and coatings.[12] Nitromethane is used as a fuel additive in various motorsports and hobbies, e.g. Top Fuel drag racing and miniature internal combustion engines in radio control, control line and free flight model aircraft.

  1. ^ "Front Matter". Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry : IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013 (Blue Book). Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2014. p. 662. doi:10.1039/9781849733069-FP001. ISBN 978-0-85404-182-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0457". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. ^ a b c d e Haynes, p. 3.414
  4. ^ Haynes, p. 6.69
  5. ^ Haynes, p. 5.94
  6. ^ Reich, Hans. "Bordwell pKa table: "Nitroalkanes"". University of Wisconsin Chemistry Department. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  7. ^ Haynes, p. 3.576
  8. ^ a b Haynes, p. 6.231
  9. ^ a b c d e Haynes, p. 15.19
  10. ^ Haynes, p. 5.20
  11. ^ a b c "Nitromethane". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Markofsky was invoked but never defined (see the help page).